Hyderabad: Promise of low power tariff and free water apart from Aam Aadmi Party’s image propelled their covener, Arvind Kejriwal, to a sensational victory in the Delhi assembly elections.This is the assessment of some of the BJP leaders who returned to the city after campaigning during the New Delhi polls. “Notwithstanding Modi’s good image, the desire to give Kejriwal another chance was quite visible wherever we went especially in juggis or slums. AAP victory was in the air, but not in this landslide manner.
There are several other reasons for BJP’s rout”, said a BJP leader BJP leaders who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that people they interacted with did not talk negatively against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, but wanted to give Kejriwal another chance to serve the state since he had a very brief tenure but did some very good work and apologised for quitting as the chief minister.
High profile candidate, Kiran Bedi, did not get help BJP get the desired results despite her clean and tough cop image. Imposition of Kiran Bedi by party high command by ignoring the suggestion of other party leaders was a minus point. Asked whether they informed the senior party leaders about their experiences, they replied in affirmative.
“Of course we did. But it was too late. They should have taken damage control measures and focussed on public needs. People reconciled to give a full mandate to Kejriwal. But for BJP to get just 3 seats out of 70 after a nation-wide victory in general elections last year is a bit too much of a change. “Party leadership can learn a lot of lessons from the Delhi elections” said another party leader.
